Racist Incident Monitoring

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the collection of information for the Racist Incident Monitoring Annual Report, they will ask the police authorities and the Crown Prosecution Service to identify the racial or religious origin of both perpetrator and victim; and whether they will extend the tables in the annual report to show this information for each offence category.

Lord Goldsmith: Her Majesty's Government have no immediate plans to ask the police authorities and the Crown Prosecution Service to identify the racial or religious origin of the perpetrator and victim, in order that such information may be included in the Racist Incident Monitoring Annual Report.
	Some information on the ethnicity of defendants is currently recorded by the police and Crown Prosecution Service, based on self-classification.
	We recognise this is an issue that needs to be addressed and this will be the subject of further review and consultation.
	Any possible extension to the tables in the annual report will be considered as part of an overall review.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will support the recommendations contained in the report by the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur, Sudan, headed by Judge Antonio Cassese as regards the International Criminal Court.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Our preference is for the situation in Darfur to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), as recommended by the International Commission of Inquiry. Since Sudan is not a state party to the ICC statute, and is unlikely to refer the situation to the court, a decision by the Security Council will be required.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the referral to the International Criminal Court of those responsible for the deaths of an estimated 218,000 people in Darfur, Sudan.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave the noble Lord, the Lord Lester of Herne Hill today (HL1164).

Afghanistan: Opium Cultivation

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	According to the United Nations annual poppy crop survey in Afghanistan, what was the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in hectares and tonnes in Afghanistan in each year from 2000 to 2004.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan. It has reported levels of cultivation and production since 1999 as follows:
	
		
			  Hectares Tonnes 
			 1999 91,000 4,600 
			 2000 82,000 3,300 
			 2001 8,000 185 
			 2002 74,000 3,400 
			 2003 80,000 3,600 
			 2004 131,000 4,200 
		
	
	The UNODC figures for 1999, 2000 and 2001 were recorded under the Taliban regime. The low level of cultivation and low production figure in 2001 reflect the Taliban ban on opium cultivation; the ban did not however address the underlying causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, which was enforced with a mix of threat and bribery and drove up the price of opium, benefiting those with opium stockpiles.

UN Security Council and WHO: Infectious Disease

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to ensure that there are procedures in place to require the United Nations Security Council and the World Health Organisation to work together without delay in the event of a serious outbreak of infectious disease.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: This question was raised in the recent report of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.
	The UN Secretary-General will be reporting in March on the way ahead for implementing recommendations of the high level panel. The UK will discuss these issues with the UN Secretariat and other stakeholders, including member states, in preparation for the UN Millennium Review Summit at New York in September. We welcome this recommendation and will work to ensure an effective and co-ordinated UN response to an outbreak of infectious disease.

Iraq: Oil for Food Programme Inquiry

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations the United Kingdom permanent representative to the United Nations has made in respect of the report by Paul Volcker on the abuse of the Oil for Food programme in Iraq and the activities of Mr Benon V Sevan; and whether they intend to press for the removal of Mr Sevan from office within the United Nations.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: There have been no formal representations by the United Kingdom permanent representative to the United Nations following the publication on 3 February 2005 of the independent inquiry committee's report. However, the Government have consistently made clear, including in their contacts with UN officials, that they take seriously any allegations of corruption regarding the Iraq Oil for Food programme. The Government note that this is an interim report and that other reports are planned for later in the year.
	On the independent inquiry committee's findings relating to Mr Benon Sevan, the Government believe that this is a matter for the United Nations Secretariat and note that disciplinary proceedings have been started. The Government are refraining from making any comment on those findings as they would not want, in any circumstances, to prejudice the proceedings.

Zimbabwe

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are making representations to the government of Zimbabwe concerning:
	(a) the major increase in the cost of registering as a candidate in the forthcoming Zimbabwean general election;
	(b) the alleged addition of large numbers of names to the electoral rolls, including duplicate names; and
	(c) the reported official refusal to admit independent election observers from outside countries; and
	whether they expect other Commonwealth Governments to make similar representations.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We continue to be concerned about the government of Zimbabwe's failure to ensure conditions for a free and fair election. Obstacles to candidate registration, the government of Zimbabwe's unwillingness to admit election observers from a broad range of countries and the errors in the electoral roll add to our concerns. Together with our European Union and other partners, we continue to lobby the government of Zimbabwe and regional neighbours on the need for Zimbabwe to adhere to the electoral guidelines which all South African Development Community members have signed up to.

Ministerial Privileges: Mr David Blunkett

Lord Trefgarne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the former Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett, retained the use of his official car and official residence following his resignation; and, if so, for how long.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There are a number of former Ministers and Prime Ministers who continue to receive special security requirements after leaving office. We therefore take into account the assessment of the threat to them. On this basis, the Prime Minister has agreed that David Blunkett can continue to have use of the official residence (and his car) whilst his security arrangements are being reviewed, and appropriate measures can be put in place.

Prisons: Suicide Prevention

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Prison Service's suicide prevention strategy applies to immigration detention centres.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) have separate procedures that contain elements taken from the Prison Service. Immigration Service removal centres operate under the terms of the Detention Centre Rules 2001. All detainees entering immigration detention are subject to a risk assessment that includes the risks of suicide and self-harm. Anyone who is identified at any point as presenting a risk of suicide will be treated in line with the centre's suicide and self-harm procedures, which are supported by the IND operating standard on the prevention of suicide and self-harm.

Prisons: Suicide Prevention

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people have committed suicide since May 2004 in prisons and in immigration detention centres; and what steps are being taken to prevent such deaths.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There has been one apparent self-inflicted death in an immigration removal centre, and 63 in Prison Service establishments since 1 May 2004 (up to end 31 January 2005). This includes deaths where it appears the individual acted specifically to take his or her own life, not just those that receive a suicide verdict at inquest. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigates all deaths in Prison Service establishments and Immigration Service removal centres.
	Reducing the number of apparently self-inflicted deaths in prisons is a key priority. More is being done to prevent such tragedies than ever before. On 31 March 2004, I announced how the development of the suicide prevention strategy which aims to "Reduce distress and promote the well-being of all who live and work in prisons".
	This strategy builds on a three-year programme of work that has been running since April 2001. It has close links with issues of resettlement, detoxification, health, purposeful activity, and staff training. Key achievements include ensuring that suicide prevention co-ordinators now operate in all prisons, an investment of over £21 million at six "safer local" pilot sites, a widening of peer support schemes and the development of a safer prison design that includes safer cells.

EU Nationals: UK Entry

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to the arrival in the United Kingdom of any person holding a valid passport of a member state of the European Union, what is the current basis of any provision whereby entry can be postponed or denied, together with any similar provision within the European Constitution.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: EC Council Directive 68/360 provides that an EU national must be admitted to the United Kingdom on production of a valid passport or identity card. Article 39 of the EC Treaty and EC Council Directive 64/221 allows the United Kingdom to derogate from this if there is reason to believe that an EU national poses a threat to public policy, public security or public health.
	Article III–133 of the European Constitution contains the same public policy, public security and public health derogation to that which is contained in Article 39 of the EC Treaty.

Racial Hatred Offences: Prosecutions

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What specific examples of words, behaviour, publications, plays or broadcasts which have come to the attention of the police or the Crown Prosecution Service over the past four years could have been prosecuted under the proposed offences of incitement to racial hatred under Clause 122 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: As incitement to religious hatred is not currently an offence, and has not been in the past, individual cases have not been reviewed against the tests set out above and hence, it is not possible to say whether such events could have been prosecuted as incitement to religious hatred.

Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many directions to disperse in the Metropolitan Police area have been made under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 to disperse groups and remove persons under 16 to their place of residence.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that, between January and December 2004, the Metropolitan Police authorised 61 areas under Section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. In these areas, 3,312 people were dispersed and 149 young people under the age of 16 were taken home.

Terrorism Act 2000

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many arrests have been made under the Terrorism Act 2000; how many of those arrested:
	(a) have been charged with;
	(b) have been convicted of; and
	(c) are awaiting trial on
	terrorist-related offences; and how many:
	(i) have been charged with;
	(ii) have been convicted of; and
	(iii) are awaiting trial on
	other criminal offences, detailed by category; and how many have been released without charge.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Statistics provided to the Home Office by the police on arrests and charges from 11 September 2001 until 31 December 2004 under the Terrorism Act 2000 are on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk/terrorism/. (These are compiled from recent police records and are therefore subject to change as cases go through the system.)

Criminal Proceedings: Use of Intercept Materials

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8 February (WA 102–103) concerning the use of intercept material in criminal proceedings, which countries' legal regimes were considered; and how they were selected for consideration.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The review of intercept as evidence considered in particular the intercept regimes of the US, Australia, the Netherlands and France. These countries were selected as representing a range of criminal justice regimes in which intercept is used evidentially.

Criminal Proceedings: Use of Intercept Materials

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8 February (WA 102–103) concerning the use of intercept material in criminal proceedings, which of the countries' legal regimes are adversarial in nature; and which are inquisitorial.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The legal regimes of the US and Australia are adversarial in nature, those of the Netherlands and France inquisitorial.

Armed Forces: Skiing and Snowboarding

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Army and the Royal Air Force hold ski or snowboard championships; if so, where and when they take place; how many people attend and on what basis; and at what cost to public funds.

Lord Bach: Both Army and the Royal Air Force hold ski and snowboard championships. Costs of attending are largely met by those Army/RAF personnel participating, but under triservice regulations, they are entitled to claim an allowance towards their food and travel.
	The Army Alpine Skiing Championships were held at Serre Chevalier between 20 and 28 January with 132 competitors and officials being involved. The Army Snowboard Championships were held at Stubaital, Austria 13 to 21 December with 120 competitors and officials. Two hundred competitors took part in the Army Nordic Championships held at Ruhpolding 20 January to 4 February. These events were preceded by corps and divisional championships held at different European venues earlier in January. The costs to public funds of all Army events are estimated to be a maximum of £386,000.
	The Royal Air Force Championships took place in Saalbach, Austria between 8 and 22 January. Some 758 RAF personnel attended Saalbach at an estimated maximum costs to public funds of £94,000. A team of 12 RAF also participated in Army-organised Nordic Championships at a cost of £8,000.

Armed Forces: Lost Leave

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total amount of lost leave in 1996–97 and 2003–04 for personnel in the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines.

Lord Bach: The information requested is not held centrally. However, DASA undertakes an annual survey of leave. This survey is used to produce an estimate of the average number of leave days lost per person for each service, shown in the table below.
	
		Average Number of Annual Leave Days Lost
		
			  Naval service Army RAF 
			 1996–97 1.0 4.3 3.0 
			 2003–04 0.5 3.4 1.4 
		
	
	(1) Naval Service includes the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines
	Direct comparisons between 1996–97 and 2003–04 should not be made due to changes in leave allowance.

EU Battlegroups

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will accelerate the ready-for-action timetables for the first European Security and Defence Policy battlegroups which are now on standby.

Lord Bach: The two EU battlegroups on standby for the current period, provided by the United Kingdom and France, are already at very high readiness.

HMS "Dasher"

Lord MacKenzie of Culkein: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will release all details of the hydrographical surveys carried out on the hull of the aircraft carrier HMS "Dasher", which exploded and sank in the Firth of Clyde on 27 March 1943.

Lord Bach: Surveys carried out on and around the hull of HMS "Dasher", up to and including information concerning the wreck provided to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office in October 2000, are available for public inspection at the UK Hydrographic Office, Admiralty Way, Taunton TA1 2DN. Details on access to this site are available on the UK Hydrographic Office's website www.ukho.gov.uk.
	The wreck was examined by a diving party in March 1982 and positively identified as HMS "Dasher". A later survey was conducted in March 1984. HMS "Dasher" was designated as a protected military wreck by Statutory Instrument 1761–02.
	Copies of the information available for public inspection can be provided to private researchers (the costs for this service can be supplied on request to research@ukho.gov.uk).

Military Transport Aircraft

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their general policy on the installation of defensive suites to military transport aircraft; and how extensively they are installed.

Lord Bach: Military transport aircraft are fitted with defensive aids suites appropriate to their role for any given mission or operation. As a general policy, sets of equipment are procured for a proportion of each fleet as it is prohibitive to procure a fleet-wide fit. All of the Hercules C-130K fleet and about half of the 25 Hercules C-130J fleet are equipped with infra-red defensive countermeasures. Additionally, some of these aircraft have an enhanced defensive capability. Tristar passenger aircraft and the C-17 transport aircraft were all recently fitted with advanced defensive countermeasures for operations in Iraq. Further details of systems fitted to individual aircraft are classified.

Council Tax

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the average council tax increase has been across England and Wales in each year since its introduction.

Lord Rooker: The average increases in council taxes in England for each year since its introduction are shown in Table 2.2e of Local Government Financial Statistics, England, No. 15 2004, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The table can also be found at www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/stats/lgfs/lgfs15/tables/lgfs15–2–2e.xls.
	Figures for Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Devolution and Regional Assemblies: Electors in England

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Filkin on 23 February 2004 (WA 10), whether in the light of their withdrawal of the policy for establishing elected assemblies in those English regions that want them, electors in England now experience a democratic deficit compared to those in Scotland.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government do not believe that electors in England experience a democratic deficit compared to those in Scotland. England continues to have a strong voice at Westminster with over 80 per cent of the Members of the UK Parliament representing English constituencies.

Government Departments: Personal Information Databases

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 4 February (WA 72), which databases that hold personal information on individual citizens are currently maintained by:
	(a) the Home Office;
	(b) the Department for Work and Pensions;
	(c) the Department for Education and Skills;
	(d) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;
	(e) the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister;
	(f) the Cabinet Office; and
	(g) the Inland Revenue.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Further to my previous Answer, the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, as no central record is kept of databases maintained by government departments. Many departments maintain several databases holding personal information on individuals for differing purposes. For example, my own department's court service maintains a database of court records; the Home Office, inter alia, holds separate information in respect of immigration, passports and the prisons service; and the DWP has separate databases on retirement pension, income support, child support, invalidity benefit and many others.

Pensions

Lord MacKenzie of Culkein: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the United Kingdom does not pay annual increases in respect of expatriate retirement pensions, in line with other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; and
	What criteria are used to decide that annual increases in expatriate retirement pensions should be paid in some countries, such as Malta, Jamaica and the United States, but not in others, such as Australia, Canada and South Africa; and
	Whether the matter of indexation of United Kingdom retirement pensions has been raised in bilateral discussions between the United Kingdom and Australian governments since 1997; and, if so, with what outcome.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The UK state pension is payable to all those who satisfy the conditions of entitlement regardless of where they choose to live during retirement. Where a person is living outside the UK the state pension is uprated if there is a legal requirement or a reciprocal agreement to do so. In some respects these arrangements are more generous than those applied to the payment of pensions abroad by other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; for example, restricting the exportability of the pension to claims made from within the country and paying exported pensions at a lower rate.
	However, the non-uprating of state pensions in certain countries is the subject of an appeal to the House of Lords from a decision of the Court of Appeal which found in favour of the Government. We will respond accordingly at the hearing which is set for 28 February and 1 March this year.
	Since 1997, there have been two meetings between the UK and Australian governments at which the issue of the uprating of UK state pensions to persons living in Australia was discussed.
	At the first meeting on 12 July 1999, the Australian government stated their intention to terminate the reciprocal social security agreement with the UK, giving the reason as the refusal of successive British governments to uprate UK state pensions paid in Australia. Formal notification was of this given on 1 March 2000 and the agreement was terminated from 1 March 2001.
	At the second meeting on 9 October 2002, the issue of uprating was raised again by the Australian government. The UK Government's response was that the position and policy on the issue remained unchanged.

Fairclough Report

Baroness Perry of Southwark: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 January (WA 183), whether they have acted on Sir John Fairclough's recommendation that "Government should reconsider its level of investment in research and development to support improvement in the construction industry".

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The publication of Sir John's report was followed by a more major review of government policies which impact on innovation. The innovation report was published in December 2003 and examined investment by the Government in R&D and wider innovation across the whole UK economy.
	One of the main findings of the report was that a step change was needed in the way government supported research and development to enable us to achieve real impact from our investment.
	The DTI's subsequent business support review led to the development of a number of generic support products within the technology strategy, no longer linked to individual sectors such as construction, but focusing the funds we have available on supporting industry-led technological development in areas with clear market focus and delivering broader public benefits. This mirrored Sir John Fairclough's recommendation that funding programmes should be targeted at competitiveness issues and should withdraw from short-term knowledge-transfer and incremental improvement.
	It is too early to say what level of support the construction industry will be able to obtain from the new strategy, and how this will compare to the previous levels of funding available to the sector.
	A number of the competitions to date have had a clear relevance to the construction industry and the modem built environment is recognised by the Technology Strategy Board as a key area for improvement. The onus is however on the sector itself to take advantage of funding opportunities as they arise.

Energy Security

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to replace the 28 per cent of the United Kingdom's nuclear generating capacity which was available in 2000 and which will be shut down by 2014.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government believe that a market-based approach is the best way of delivering energy security, including through the provision, maintenance and replacement of electricity generating capacity to meet demand, and that this approach is working well.
	We expect that market signals will show when new build is both needed and economically viable.
	Recent announcements show that the market is already thinking about the need for new build to meet future demand. For example, Centrica is proposing to build a new power station in south west England and E.ON recently announced plans for an upgrade of its generating facility on the Isle of Grain (from part-time oil-fired generation, to full-time gas-fired generation).
	For the market to work effectively, market participants need to know that the Government will let it work. As set out in the energy White Paper, the Government will not intervene in the operation of the market except in extreme circumstances such as to avert, as a last resort, a potentially serious risk to safety.
	However, through the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group (JESS), the DTI and Ofgem continually monitor developments in the market, and look for ways of helping the market to work effectively to deliver secure energy supplies. We also provide valuable information to market participants, which can help them to plan investment decisions.

Nuclear Power Stations

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the time it would take for a new nuclear power station to become operational from the date when a decision was made to build one (a) on an existing or former site; and (b) on a new site.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The estimated time to construct and commission a nuclear power station, from decision to build, through to the electricity generation stage, is between 10 to 15 years. It is difficult to state with more precision the time taken due to many influencing factors including: the location of the site; the type of reactor to be built; the length of time for the approvals processes; and the length of time for any public inquiry. The time taken for the building of a new plant on an existing site would be expected to be less, when compared to a new site, due to the grid connection infrastructure already being in place.

Duchy of Lancaster: Labour Party Officials

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 25 January (WA 156), how many paid or unpaid Labour Party officials work in the Cabinet Office or in support of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; what resources are made available to them; and what expenses they have claimed in respect of each of their activities.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: I refer the noble Lord to the response I gave him on Tuesday 25 January, (Official Report, col. WA 156). There are no paid or unpaid Labour Party officials working in the Cabinet Office in support of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Lord Birt

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 2 February (WA 53), what is their policy on disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 of the diary records of meetings between the Prime Minister's strategy adviser, the Lord Birt and
	(a) the Prime Minister;
	(b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and
	(c) the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: All requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, including information relating to records of meetings are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Freedom of Information Act operates on the presumption that all information held by public authorities should be available, subject to the 24 exemptions of the Act. Whether or not information is exempt under the Act requires the exercise of judgment in each case. The majority of the exemptions also require that the public interest in releasing the information should be weighed against the public interest in withholding it. If the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in withholding it, the information must be disclosed. The assessment of the public interest has to be made in all the circumstances of the case, on a case-by-case basis as far as each request is concerned.

Government Agencies: Retirement Age

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current retiring age for those employed at each government agency.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: In line with all employers in the public and private sector, the Government believe that the Civil Service should be allowed to determine retirement age policy with regard to its business needs while giving staff as much choice as possible about when they retire.
	Departments and agencies are free to set the normal retirement age for their own staff subject only to the requirement that the minimum age at which civil servants can retire with an unreduced pension is currently 60.
	Against this background, 80 per cent of the Civil Service below the Senior Civil Service now has the option to remain in work until 65, and a further 11 per cent has the option to remain in work on short service concessions.
	Although no central record is maintained of the age that individual government agencies require their staff to retire, Building a Sustainable Future, Proposals for changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme states that the average retirement age across the Civil Service is 62.
	The current normal retirement age for the Senior Civil Service is 60. However, heads of departments and agency chief executives have the flexibility to retain members of the Senior Civil Service beyond 60 if they judge it to be in the public interest and are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties.

Government Agencies: Retirement Age

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will encourage government agencies to allow employees who wish to continue to work beyond the standard retiring age to be allowed to do so, subject to continued capability of those concerned.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: In line with all employers in the public and private sector, the Government believe that the Civil Service should be allowed to determine retirement age policy with regard to its business needs whilst giving staff as much choice as possible about when they retire.
	Departments and agencies are free to set the normal retirement age for their own staff subject only to the requirement that the minimum age at which civil servants can retire with an unreduced pension is currently 60.
	Against this background, 80 per cent of the Civil Service below the Senior Civil Service now has the option to remain in work until 65, and a further 11 per cent has the option to remain in work on short service concessions.
	Those departments and agencies that have decided that there is a strong case in the current circumstances for retaining a retirement age of 60 for staff will be expected to continue to re-examine the issue and look positively at offering more flexibilities to older staff before they are required to do so by the introduction of regulations in response to the EU Directive on Equal Treatment in October 2006.
	The normal retirement age for the Senior Civil Service is 60. However, heads of departments and agency chief executives have the flexibility to retain members of the Senior Civil Service beyond 60 if they judge it to be in the public interest and are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties. Retirement and pension ages for SCS will be the subject of review before October 2006 to conform with planned legislation.

Dentist Asylum Seekers

Lord Colwyn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people registered as asylum seekers or refugees are currently practising as dentists in the United Kingdom; and what action they are taking to encourage more dentist asylum seekers and refugees to take up practice.

Baroness Andrews: We understand there are currently 122 refugee and asylum seeker dentists on a database that is jointly maintained by the Refugee Council and British Dental Association. Of these dentists, 72 are reported as having taken the international English language test, which a dentist has to pass at level 7 before he/she may take the General Dental Council's (GDC's) international qualifying examination (IQE). So far, 30 dentists have been successful and of these 20 have passed part A of the IQE, 11 part B and 3 have become eligible to practise here by passing part C of the examination.
	We have worked with the GDC to reduce the backlog of non-European Union dentists waiting to take the IQE. With our support, the GDC has arranged for twice as many IQE sittings to be made available in 2004 than in 2003. Tenders have been invited for IQE provision in 2005-07 specifying that a guaranteed minimum completion time for dentists taking IQE is required. In addition, the Department of Health has recently agreed to support two extra sessions for retaining and returning advisers in the postgraduate dental deaneries to support dentists who are studying for the IQE, but who may require advice to maximise their chances of passing the exam.

Water Fluoridation

Lord Colwyn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who was consulted in the drafting of the regulations requiring consultation of local communities prior to the introduction of water fluoridation; and when they are planning to publish those regulations.

Baroness Andrews: We laid regulations before Parliament on 22 February. The bodies listed as follows received copies of our consultation document.
	British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry
	British Dental Association
	British Dental Health Foundation
	British Fluoridation Society
	British Medical Association
	British Society for Dental Research
	British Society for Paediatric Dentistry
	Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
	Electoral Reform Society
	Faculty of Dental Surgery
	Faculty of General Dental Practitioners
	Faculty of Public Health Medicine
	General Dental Council
	Health Development Agency
	Local Government Association
	National Association for Dentistry in Health Authorities and Trusts
	National Pure Water Association
	NHS Confederation
	Oral Health Promotion Research Group
	Patients Association
	Regional Directors of Public Health
	Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
	Strategic Health Authority Chief Executives
	Strategic Health Authority dental leads
	Strategic Health Authority Regional Director of Public Health
	UK Public Health Association
	Water UK

Hepatitis C and HIV Inadvertent Blood Infection: Payment Schemes

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 31 January (WA 10), what is the justification for denying financial help from the government-funded Skipton Fund to widows of haemophilia patients whose deaths were attributable to hepatitis C infection from contaminated National Health Service blood products, when financial help is available from the government-funded Macfarlane Fund to widows of patients whose deaths were attributable to HIV infection from the same source.

Baroness Andrews: The Government have great sympathy for the pain and hardship suffered by the widows of those inadvertently infected with hepatitis C. However, it has always been clear that the ex gratia payment scheme is for those living with the virus and is not designed to compensate for bereavement.
	The schemes administered by the Skipton Fund and the Macfarlane Trust have been established for different purposes and are two distinct schemes.

Medical Practitioners: Decisions

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is their objective that courts should observe a principle of non-intervention in decisions by medical practitioners which are dependent partly or wholly on considerations concerning the best allocation of scarce resources; and, if so:
	(a) how best allocation is to be defined;
	(b) whether medical and nursing staff will be allowed a conscience or opt-out right which will be evident to patients; and
	(c) whether such an objective is compatible with the assurances the Government gave during consideration of the Mental Capacity Bill.

Baroness Andrews: The Question raises issues that are to be considered by the court in the appeal General Medical Council v Oliver Leslie Burke and others so it is inappropriate for the Government to comment in advance of the hearing.

Dentists: Clinical Indemnity Insurance

Baroness Gardner of Parkes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, for the protection of patients, they intend to make clinical indemnity insurance mandatory for dentists in professional practice; and, if so, whether they intend to make it mandatory for this cover to remain in force after dentists have ceased practising.

Baroness Andrews: The order we will lay before Parliament this spring will make such cover compulsory. The order will give the General Dental Council the power to specify in statutory rules, which will be subject to parliamentary approval, the types of cover sufficient to provide proper protection for patients' interests.

Kidney Disease

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment has been made of the health implications for people with kidney disease failing to meet their recommended salt intake levels.

Baroness Andrews: People receiving dialysis will normally be on a low sodium diet. Standards 2 and 4 of the National Service Framework for Renal Services (Part One) published in January 2004 identify the need for people to receive nutrition monitoring and dietary advice as well as the continuing management of their underlying diseases and the risk factors and complications.

Kidney Disease

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recommendations have been made to individuals with high blood pressure about the dangers of over-consumption of salt and its association with the onset of kidney disease.

Baroness Andrews: The guideline published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence entitled Hypertension—Management of Hypertension in Adults in Primary Care makes it clear that lifestyle advice on healthy eating should be given to people with high blood pressure including advice on reducing salt intake.